{{quote|O Lórien! The Winter comes, the bare and leafless Day;<br>The leaves are falling in the stream, the River flows away.<br>O Lórien! Too long I have dwelt upon this [[Hither Shore]]<br>And in a fading crown have twined the golden [[elanor]].|[[Galadriel]], ''[[Farewell to Lórien]]''}}

{{quote|O Lórien! The Winter comes, the bare and leafless Day;<br>The leaves are falling in the stream, the River flows away.<br>O Lórien! Too long I have dwelt upon this [[Hither Shore]]<br>And in a fading crown have twined the golden [[elanor]].|[[Galadriel]], ''[[Farewell to Lórien]]''}}

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'''Lothlórien''' was a kingdom of [[Silvan]] elves on the eastern side of the [[Hithaeglir]]. It was considered one of the most beautiful and “elvish” places in [[Middle-earth]] during the [[Third Age]], and had the only [[mallorn]]-trees east of the [[Belegaer|sea]].

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'''Lothlórien''' was a kingdom of [[Silvan Elves]] on the eastern side of the [[Misty Mountains|Hithaeglir]]. It was considered one of the most beautiful and "elvish" places in [[Middle-earth]] during the [[Third Age]], and had the only [[mallorn]]-trees east of the [[Belegaer|sea]].

==History==

==History==

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===First Settlers===

===First Settlers===

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The first inhabitants of the forested area later known as Lórien were a group of [[Nandor]] that refused to cross the Hithaeglir. Lórien was probably one of their scattered settlements in the area; but there were no mallorns in that time. Later, however, as the power of the [[Longbeards]] of [[Moria]] grew, they relocated to the eastern side of the [[Anduin]], across from the [[Nimrodel]]. The land in which they dwelt (the forest east of the Hithaeglir, above [[Fangorn]] and below [[Mirkwood]]) became known in the Silvan tongue as ''[[Lórinand]]'', or ''[[Laurelindórenan]]''.

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The first inhabitants of the forested area later known as Lórien were a group of [[Nandor]] that refused to cross the [[Hithaeglir]]. Lórien was probably one of their scattered settlements in the area. Later, however, as the power of the [[Longbeards]] of [[Moria]] grew, they relocated to the eastern side of the [[Anduin]], across the [[Nimrodel]]. The land in which they dwelt (the forest east of the Hithaeglir, above [[Fangorn Forest|Fangorn]] and below [[Mirkwood]]) became known in the [[Silvan Elvish|Silvan tongue]] as ''[[Lórinand]]'', or ''Laurelindórenan''.

===The Sindarin Dynasty===

===The Sindarin Dynasty===

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After the [[War of Wrath]], [[Sindar]] came from the deluge of [[Beleriand]] in the West. Their migration was a great boost to the power and culture of the Nandor. Their language was replaced by [[Sindarin]]. The arrival of the Sinda [[Amdír]] affected the Nandor of Laurelindórenan. He took over as their King, while another Sinda, [[Oropher]], became king of [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]].

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The coming of the [[Sindar]] was a great boost to the power and culture of the Nandor. The [[Silvan language]] was replaced by [[Sindarin]]. The arrival of one in particular affected the Nandor of Laurelindórenan: the coming of a Sinda named [[Amdír]]. He took over Laurelindórenan, while another Sinda, [[Oropher]], became king of [[Greenwood the Great]].

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[[Celeborn]], a [[Falmari]]n prince, dwelt with his [[Noldor]]in wife [[Galadriel]] in [[Eregion]]. They made contact with the Nandor of Lórinand, and before long they passed through [[Moria]] and arrived in the woods. After the Fall of Eregion and the death of [[Celebrimbor]], [[Nenya]], one of the [[Three Rings]] of the Elves, was delivered to Galadriel.

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[[Celeborn (Lord of Lórien)|Celeborn]], a [[Falmari]]n prince, dwelt with his [[Noldor]]in wife [[Galadriel]] in [[Eregion]]. They made contact with the Nandor of Lórinand, and before long moved there via [[Moria]]. After the Fall of Eregion and the death of [[Celebrimbor]], [[Nenya]], one of the [[Three Rings]] of the Elves, was delivered to Galadriel. She kept this and became great in the wood.

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As [[Sauron]]'s power grew over the [[Westlands]], King Amdír marshaled the [[Elves]] of Lórinand to the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. His division was cut off from the main body during the [[Battle of Dagorlad]] and many of the Nandor went down into the [[Dead Marshes]] with their King.

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King Amdír marshaled the [[Elves]] of Lórinand during the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. His division was cut off from the main body during the [[Battle of Dagorlad]]. Their monarch was slain, and not a few of the Nandor went down there. Later their bodies sank down into the [[Dead Marshes]].

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The survivors of the battle, which included Amdír’s son [[Amroth]], returned to Lórinand. Amroth was the new King, but he was tired of Middle-earth, and wished to go West and seek [[Valinor]]. When Moria fell to evil in {{TA|1981}}, many of the Lórinand elves fled south. Around that time Amroth departed to [[Edhellond]] with his beloved, [[Nimrodel (Elf-maid)|Nimrodel]]. The Nandor never saw either of them again.

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The survivors of the battle, which included Amdír’s son [[Amroth]] (and Celeborn, if he attended the battle), returned to Lórinand. Amroth was elected King. But Amroth tired of Middle-earth, and wished to go West and seek [[Valinor]]. When Moria fell to evil in [[Third Age 1981|1981]], many of the Lórinand elves fled south. At this time he departed to [[Edhellond]] with his beloved, [[Nimrodel (Elf-maid)|Nimrodel]]. The Nandor never saw either of them again.

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===The Lord and Lady===

===The Lord and Lady===

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[[Image:Angus McBride - Galadriel.gif|thumb|left|250px|''Galadriel'' by [[Angus McBride]]]]After Amroth and Nimrodel had passed away, Celeborn and Galadriel took the title of Lord and Lady of Lothlórien, the common Sindarin name for Lórinand. With Nenya, the land was kept pure and alive, and evil was not permitted to penetrate it. They moved back to the western side of Anduin, and built [[Caras Galadhon]], the great center of the woodland kingdom. There Galadriel planted the seeds of the [[mallorn]] trees she had brought with her from [[Lindon]], where they grew not. Lothlórien was filled with light and life, and became beautiful. By the power of the Elven Ring the trees did not die.

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[[Image:Angus McBride - Galadriel.gif|thumb|left|220px|''Galadriel'' by [[Angus McBride]]]]After Amroth and Nimrodel had passed away, Celeborn and Galadriel took the title of [[Lord and Lady]] of Lothlórien, the common Sindarin name for Lórinand. With Nenya, the land was kept pure and alive, and evil was not permitted to penetrate it. They moved back to the western side of Anduin, and built [[Caras Galadhon]], the great center of the woodland kingdom. There Galadriel planted the seeds of the [[mallorn]] trees that was given to her by Gil-galad when she lived in [[Lindon]], where they couldn't grew. Lothlórien was filled with light and life, and became beautiful. By the power of the Elven Ring the trees did not die.

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Under the Lord and Lady Lothlórien prospered for more than a thousand years, time passing without decay under the golden boughs. Celeborn and Galadriel produced a daughter, [[Celebrían]], and their granddaughter [[Arwen Undómiel]] was considered the fairest of the elven race. But as the [[Third Age]] began to grope for its culmination, troubles at last began to touch the Valley of Singing Gold. As the shadow of [[Sauron]] lengthened, and the [[War of the Ring]] was imminent, Lórien received eight weary and grief-stricken travelers from the lost mouth of Moria.

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Under the Lord and Lady, Lothlórien prospered for more than a thousand years as time passed without decay under the golden boughs. Celeborn and Galadriel produced a daughter, [[Celebrían]] who married [[Elrond]], and their granddaughter [[Arwen|Arwen Undómiel]] was considered the fairest of the elven race.

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They were the remnants of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]], a group of travelers on a quest of immeasurable importance. The border-wardens came across them on [[February 15]], [[Third Age 3019|3019]]. Among the company were [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]], a prince of the [[Dúnedain]] and a friend of the Lady, as well as [[Legolas of Mirkwood|Legolas]] of [[Mirkwood]]. The only reservation the border-wardens had about them was the dwarf, [[Gimli]]. They were led in blindfolded for a time, but at Galadriel’s word they were taken to Caras Galadhon and their eyes were released.

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===War of the Ring===

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But as the [[Third Age]] began to grope for its culmination, troubles at last began to touch the Valley of Singing Gold. As the shadow of [[Sauron]] lengthened, and the [[War of the Ring]] raged, Lórien received the remnant of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]], a group of travelers on a quest of immeasurable importance. The border-wardens came across them on [[15 February]], {{TA|3019}}. Among the company were [[Aragorn]], a prince of the [[Dúnedain]] and a friend of the Lady, as well as [[Legolas]] of [[Mirkwood]]. The only reservation the border-wardens had about them was the dwarf, [[Gimli]]. They were led in blindfolded for a time, but at Galadriel’s word they were taken to Caras Galadhon and their eyes were released.

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There the Elves learned of the death of [[Gandalf the Grey]], and Galadriel knew what evil had been brought into the Golden Wood. She revealed her own ring to him, and showed him her [[Mirror of Galadriel|mirror]]. Then the Fellowship was furnished with new supplies, and sent off down Anduin, bearing the gifts of the Lord and Lady.

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There the Elves learned of the death of [[Gandalf]], and Galadriel knew what evil had been brought into the Golden Wood. She revealed her own ring to him, and showed him her [[Mirror of Galadriel|mirror]]. Then the Fellowship was furnished with new supplies, and sent off down Anduin, bearing the gifts of the Lord and Lady.

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===War of the Ring===

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But the coming of the [[Ring of Power]] was only the beginning of their troubles. The very night the Fellowship arrived, a band of [[Orcs]] crossed the [[Nimrodel (river)|Nimrodel]]. A regiment or so of Nandor were sent out, and destroyed the Orcs. But they were only the heralds of greater conflicts that were to occur. [[Sauron]] unleashed his [[Rhovanion Campaign (WotR)|Rhovanion Campaign]], which involved massive attacks on the Golden Wood.

But the coming of the [[Ring of Power]] was only the beginning of their troubles. The very night the Fellowship arrived, a band of [[Orcs]] crossed the [[Nimrodel (river)|Nimrodel]]. A regiment or so of Nandor were sent out, and destroyed the Orcs. But they were only the heralds of greater conflicts that were to occur. [[Sauron]] unleashed his [[Rhovanion Campaign (WotR)|Rhovanion Campaign]], which involved massive attacks on the Golden Wood.

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On [[March 11]], Orcs from [[Dol Guldur]] swarmed into the forest in a full-scale assault. By the power of the Wood-elves and Galadriel’s ring, they were repulsed. The second wave came on [[March 15]], at the same time as the invasion of Mirkwood. Again, the Orcs were forced out. The third and last attack was made seven days later, [[March 22]]. They caused much destruction, but Celeborn led the Nandor in a great counterattack that routed them utterly. Boats were made, and the armies of Lórien crossed the Anduin. They stormed [[Dol Guldur]] (the [[Nazgûl]] being absent in the war to the south), and took it. Galadriel threw down its walls, and Mirkwood was cleansed. The southern part of Mirkwood fell into the dominion of Lothlórien, and it was called [[East Lórien]].

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On [[11 March]], Orcs from [[Dol Guldur]] swarmed into the forest in a full-scale assault. By the power of the Wood-elves and Galadriel’s ring, they were repulsed. The second wave came on [[15 March]], at the same time as the invasion of Mirkwood. Again, the Orcs were forced out. The third and last attack was made seven days later, [[22 March]]. They caused much destruction, but Celeborn led the Nandor in a great counterattack that routed them utterly. Boats were made, and the armies of Lórien crossed the Anduin. They stormed [[Dol Guldur]] (the [[Nazgûl]] being absent in the war to the south), and took it. Galadriel threw down its walls, and Mirkwood was cleansed. The southern part of Mirkwood fell into the dominion of Lothlórien, and it was called [[East Lórien]].

===Afterward===

===Afterward===

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[[File:WiMe-Lorien-1.png|thumb|150px|Lórien in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'']]

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Only two years after the War of the Ring, Galadriel, the Lady of Lórien, took ship West to Valinor. Celeborn left to [[Rivendell]] several years later, and light departed from Lórien.

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Only two years after the War of the Ring, Galadriel, the Lady of Lórien, took ship West to Valinor. Celeborn left to [[Rivendell]] several years later, and light departed from Lórien. The Nandor of that land either merged into the Kingdom of [[Eryn Lasgalen]] and [[Thranduil]], or stayed in Lórien to fade and eventually pass away westward.

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The Eastern border of Lothlórien in the southern [[Eryn Lasgalen]] became the [[East Lórien]]. The Nandor of that land either merged into the Kingdom of [[Thranduil]], or stayed in Lórien to fade and eventually pass away westward.

Cerin Amroth was a mound in Lothlórien where [[elanor]] (a golden flower) grew beside [[niphredil]]. In the days of Amroth it was where the King built his house. It was one of the most beautiful places in Lórien, save perhaps for Caras Galadhon. There also Arwen fell in love with Aragorn, and they plighted their troth to one another.

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==Etymology==

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''Lothlórien'', said to mean "Lórien of the Blossom", is a compound of [[Sindarin]] ''[[loth]]'' + [[Quenya]] ''Lórien'' "?Dream Land"). [[Treebeard]] translates the name as "Dreamflower".<ref name=HMRC>{{HM|RC}}, p. 300 (citing from the [[Unfinished index]])</ref>

==Names==

==Names==

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* ''[[Lothlórien]]'' [[S.]] "Lórien of the Blossom" ([[Treebeard]] translates it as “Dreamflower”)

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* ''[[Lórinand]]'' [[N.]] "Valley of Gold"

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Lothlórien was often shortened to '''Lórien''', or the '''Golden Wood''' (referring to the golden [[mallorn]] trees that grew in that land).<ref name=HMRC/><ref name=PE17>{{PE|17}}, p. 48</ref> Other names recorded for the region were:

* ''[[Dwimordene]]'', "Valley of (Wicked) Sorcery", a little positive name used in [[Rohan]].

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* '''''Laurenandë''''' Q. "Valley of gold"<ref name=UTG/>

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* '''''Glornan''''' [[Sindarin|S.]] "Valley of gold"<ref name=UTG/>

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* '''''Nan Laur''''' S. "Valley of gold"<ref name=UTG/>

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* '''''Lindórinand''''' ?[[Nandorin|N.]] "Vale of the Land of the Singers"<ref name=UTG/>

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* ''[[Dwimordene]]'', "Valley of (Wicked) Sorcery", a name used in [[Rohan]]<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}, (ii) ''The Ride of Eorl''</ref>

==Portrayal in Adaptions==

==Portrayal in Adaptions==

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'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''

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:Lórien is one of the several battlegrounds in this game. The trees are just normal trees.

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In [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]], Lórien was portrayed more as a city of moonshine and soft candlelight, in stark contrast to its brilliant golden appearance (filled with sunshine) in the books. [[Peter Jackson]] apparently could have said with [[Samwise Gamgee]]:

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'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''

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:Lórien was portrayed more as a city of moonshine and soft candlelight, in stark contrast to its brilliant golden appearance (filled with sunshine) in the books.

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{{quote|It’s sunlight and bright day, right enough. I thought Elves were all for moon and stars…|[[The Lord of the Rings]], ''[[Lothlórien (chapter)|Lothlórien]]''}}

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'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''

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:After defeating the Balrog, the Fellowship enters Lothlórien. There are no missions; stepping towards a ladder triggers the [[Mirror of Galadriel]]-scene and continues the game.

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But Sam goes on to state:

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'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''

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:In the Good Campaign, Lothlórien (along with the Fellowship) is attacked by several waves of [[orcs]] and [[trolls]]. The area is full of treasures, which form the only income needed to make elven archers.

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{{quote|… but this is more elvish than anything I ever heard tell of. I feel as if I was ''inside'' a song, if you take my meaning.|[[The Lord of the Rings]], ''[[Lothlórien (chapter)|Lothlórien]]''}}

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[[File:Map - Lothlorien.jpg|thumb|400px|Map of Lothlorien from ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''.]]

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'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''

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:Similar to ''The Battle for Middle-earth'', a skirmish takes place after Fellowship's arrival in Lothlorien. Player's goal during the mission is to protect two mallorn trees from attacks for a certain period of time.

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'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''

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:Lothlorien makes appearance as a Battleground in both "Evil" campaign and skirmish model. The layout of the map drastically differs from the ones in the game-predecessor.

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'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''

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:Lothlorien is one of major regions of the game, added following the ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria]]'' expansion. It is inhabited by over a hundred of non-playable characters, who are involved in hundreds of various quests. The map shows the major landmarks of the area: The [[Mirrormere]], rivers [[Anduin]], [[Nimrodel]] and [[Celebrant]], [[Cerin Amroth]] and [[Caras Galadhon]].

"O Lórien! The Winter comes, the bare and leafless Day;The leaves are falling in the stream, the River flows away.O Lórien! Too long I have dwelt upon this Hither ShoreAnd in a fading crown have twined the golden elanor."

Contents

History

First Settlers

The first inhabitants of the forested area later known as Lórien were a group of Nandor that refused to cross the Hithaeglir. Lórien was probably one of their scattered settlements in the area. Later, however, as the power of the Longbeards of Moria grew, they relocated to the eastern side of the Anduin, across the Nimrodel. The land in which they dwelt (the forest east of the Hithaeglir, above Fangorn and below Mirkwood) became known in the Silvan tongue as Lórinand, or Laurelindórenan.

The Sindarin Dynasty

After the War of Wrath, Sindar came from the deluge of Beleriand in the West. Their migration was a great boost to the power and culture of the Nandor. Their language was replaced by Sindarin. The arrival of the Sinda Amdír affected the Nandor of Laurelindórenan. He took over as their King, while another Sinda, Oropher, became king of Greenwood the Great.

The survivors of the battle, which included Amdír’s son Amroth, returned to Lórinand. Amroth was the new King, but he was tired of Middle-earth, and wished to go West and seek Valinor. When Moria fell to evil in T.A.1981, many of the Lórinand elves fled south. Around that time Amroth departed to Edhellond with his beloved, Nimrodel. The Nandor never saw either of them again.

The Lord and Lady

After Amroth and Nimrodel had passed away, Celeborn and Galadriel took the title of Lord and Lady of Lothlórien, the common Sindarin name for Lórinand. With Nenya, the land was kept pure and alive, and evil was not permitted to penetrate it. They moved back to the western side of Anduin, and built Caras Galadhon, the great center of the woodland kingdom. There Galadriel planted the seeds of the mallorn trees that was given to her by Gil-galad when she lived in Lindon, where they couldn't grew. Lothlórien was filled with light and life, and became beautiful. By the power of the Elven Ring the trees did not die.

Under the Lord and Lady, Lothlórien prospered for more than a thousand years as time passed without decay under the golden boughs. Celeborn and Galadriel produced a daughter, Celebrían who married Elrond, and their granddaughter Arwen Undómiel was considered the fairest of the elven race.

War of the Ring

But as the Third Age began to grope for its culmination, troubles at last began to touch the Valley of Singing Gold. As the shadow of Sauron lengthened, and the War of the Ring raged, Lórien received the remnant of the Fellowship of the Ring, a group of travelers on a quest of immeasurable importance. The border-wardens came across them on 15 February, T.A.3019. Among the company were Aragorn, a prince of the Dúnedain and a friend of the Lady, as well as Legolas of Mirkwood. The only reservation the border-wardens had about them was the dwarf, Gimli. They were led in blindfolded for a time, but at Galadriel’s word they were taken to Caras Galadhon and their eyes were released.

There the Elves learned of the death of Gandalf, and Galadriel knew what evil had been brought into the Golden Wood. She revealed her own ring to him, and showed him her mirror. Then the Fellowship was furnished with new supplies, and sent off down Anduin, bearing the gifts of the Lord and Lady.

But the coming of the Ring of Power was only the beginning of their troubles. The very night the Fellowship arrived, a band of Orcs crossed the Nimrodel. A regiment or so of Nandor were sent out, and destroyed the Orcs. But they were only the heralds of greater conflicts that were to occur. Sauron unleashed his Rhovanion Campaign, which involved massive attacks on the Golden Wood.

On 11 March, Orcs from Dol Guldur swarmed into the forest in a full-scale assault. By the power of the Wood-elves and Galadriel’s ring, they were repulsed. The second wave came on 15 March, at the same time as the invasion of Mirkwood. Again, the Orcs were forced out. The third and last attack was made seven days later, 22 March. They caused much destruction, but Celeborn led the Nandor in a great counterattack that routed them utterly. Boats were made, and the armies of Lórien crossed the Anduin. They stormed Dol Guldur (the Nazgûl being absent in the war to the south), and took it. Galadriel threw down its walls, and Mirkwood was cleansed. The southern part of Mirkwood fell into the dominion of Lothlórien, and it was called East Lórien.

Afterward

Only two years after the War of the Ring, Galadriel, the Lady of Lórien, took ship West to Valinor. Celeborn left to Rivendell several years later, and light departed from Lórien.

The Eastern border of Lothlórien in the southern Eryn Lasgalen became the East Lórien. The Nandor of that land either merged into the Kingdom of Thranduil, or stayed in Lórien to fade and eventually pass away westward.

Similar to The Battle for Middle-earth, a skirmish takes place after Fellowship's arrival in Lothlorien. Player's goal during the mission is to protect two mallorn trees from attacks for a certain period of time.